Murder Mystery...and normal stuff too

For those of you who know us well, you know that we watch a lot of PBS...I mean A LOT. It's pretty much all we watch on TV...and online. So imagine our delight when Dan was cast as Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot character for our friend Adrianne's murder mystery party. Poirot is a French-speaking Belgium detective who has had a series on PBS since the early 80s. Dan did an exceptionally good job at the party and was awarded the best actor trophy.

I was cast as Vera Sin, devious night club owner. I rather enjoyed the role...and turns out, I was the murderer too!

Shortly after our night of murder and mystery, Dan contracted the dreaded hand, foot, and mouth. The poor thing had a fever for a few days, then unbearable mouth sores for a few days, followed by itchy hands and feet. Luckily it is behind us now (fingers crossed).

Since the kids were happy and healthy, we got to do some routine, but fun stuff last week. We visited the park, the town beach, and the ocean.

 Sebastien has really been impressing me with his swimming at the town beach. He's never been a natural "fish" like some other kids that I see, but he's definitely coming around. He feels comfortable swimming in the pond with a floaty pack and kickboard. He never really goes beyond where he can touch, but he's at least kicking in the water and not walking on the bottom.

Genevieve prefers beach bathing and sand playing. 

 Ocean - Have I mentioned how much I really don't want summer to end? I have fallen in love with the ocean this summer...well minus the fishy smells that most other people seem to like.

As if I don't spoil them enough, I took them to the mall yesterday just to ride the carousel. They sure did love it though.

 And finally, a family member who we don't talk about too much on the blog: dear Spud, our Midwestern painted turtle. He (she?) has been keeping us entertained this past week with some funny turtle antics - the likes of which we rarely see. For the delight of the children, we put a new Dora the Explorer statue in Spud's tank a few weeks ago. He generally ignored it until this week when he started kicking it over (which of course makes Genevieve upset). As soon as I stand the statue back up, he kicks it back down.

 I finally put it up against a rock so he can't push it over.

Instead, well, he buries her.

Silly Spud.

Around the House with Hand, Foot & Mouth

We've had a nice relaxing couple of weeks around the house since we got back from our York vacation. We've been to the library, to the town beach, at various parks, and playing with friends. Last Friday the kids had their first real sleep over with Bella and Avalynn while their parents went to a wedding. All of the kids did well and had a good time. Having two 3 year olds and two 2 year olds is sure fun, but exhausting of course. 

 This past week, we were not so blessed with hand, foot, and mouth sickness. If you remember, Sebastien had a very bad case of it about 2 years ago, but it was much milder this time. Supposedly you can't catch the same strain of it twice so this must have been a different and more mild strain. They didn't get any sores except for in their mouths and the fever only lasted about 2 days instead of 6!

Here was Sebastien the first day, before I realized he was sick. I took a picture of him sleeping on the couch because he never falls asleep on the couch. I should have known then!

 The nice thing about being sick is that mommy lets you watch a lot of TV.

 The neighbors were putting on a new roof and that was entertainment for the kids AND dog.

 Playing in the living room on Sunday morning.

 Sebastien likes being Batman...even though he's never seen any Batman cartoons or shows.



York Beach 2012

Another wonderful York vacation is behind us. I seriously tried not to post EVERY picture I had, and still there's so many here. I have about 3 times more though, and I think they are all just as good. Becca took some great ones with her camera too...and you can probably tell which ones she took.

Here is everyone on the porch of the Sea Bright.

 Genevieve had a great time on the beach last week. She was not afraid to jump the waves, but spent most of her time digging in the sand and sitting in the little tide puddles.

 Sebastien was a water-lover this year. Every few minutes he would ask Grandpa to "go see if the water is cold," which meant he wanted to go jump waves with Grandpa. He'd stay in there all day I think.

 Grandma, Grandpa, Becca, and Nicole chilling during high tide.

 One day Dan and I took the kids on a little hike along the cliff walk and path in York Harbor.

 The L.L.Bean boot mobile stopped by too.

 Dan and Genevieve at a restaurant.

 Sebastien walking the beach with Grandpa and Grandma.

 Becca snapped this one of me and Genevieve.

 Dan had fun pulling the kids on a boogie board.

 Dan and Grandma during high tide.

Painting rocks during high tide.

 Lobster dinner on the porch one night. Whoa!!

 

 Family pictures in front of Nubble Lighthouse

 "Hi Trolley!" is what the kids yelled many times a day as the trolley went by the beach house. They were very thrilled to get to ride it a couple times too. Here's Uncle Phil with us in York Center, where we went to get taffy and candy.

 Phil and his assistant, Nicole, built an airplane for the kids to sit in.

 One night, the Masse boys, Jaclyn, and I went to a piano bar in Ogunquit and had a blast.

What an excellent trip!